Open Days

Transforming the City

What is City Talks?

The City Talks public lecture series features a programme of speakers who will share their views and insights on a range of topics. The talks are free of charge, and open to the public.

Forthcoming events

Black Studies City Talk - 'The end of racism?'

Wednesday 7 March, 6.15pm - 8.00pm, The Curzon Building.

To celebrate the launch of Europe’s first Black Studies degree, Birmingham City University will be hosting what promises to be a lively discussion with leading experts on contemporary issues surrounding this discipline.

The panel will be made up of renowned speakers, including Princeton University's Professor Imani Perry, one of the world’s most influential experts in race and African-American culture and who has written books on race, politics, feminism, society and citizenship.

She will be joined by Dr Kehinde Andrews, one of the UK's leading Black British voices, and founder of the Black Studies course, and Birmingham entrepreneur Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones aka 'The Black Farmer'. Chairing the discussion will be award-winning broadcaster and former Blue Peter presenter Ayo Akinwolere.

The panel will explore the topic of ‘The end of racism?’ and why the University's launch of a degree in Black Studies is now more important than ever.

What Birmingham means to me

Celebrity chef and restauranteur Glynn Purnell joined a panel of well-known male figures from Birmingham to discuss what they love about the city, where it could do better and how it is perceived by others.

Glynn raised concerns that independent retailers are being forced out of the city in place of fast-food outlets and restaurant chains.

““The Great Western Arcade was full of independent retailers and shops with queues out of the doors a few years ago.

“Yearly tier increases on rental rates has left some of those small business owners with no choice but to walk away. Everyone loves Nando’s but whacking them and other fast-food outlets all over the city makes Birmingham a less interesting place.

“Birmingham needs independence to bring people here, there needs to be more incentives for people to open small businesses in the city.”

Also joining Glynn on the panel were ITV Central presenter Bob Warman and four-time world kickboxing champion Kash ‘The Flash’ Gill. The talk was chaired by Award-Winning Journalist and Television Presenter, Marverine Cole.